The Canadian province of Manitoba has declared a province-wide state of emergency due to a series of rapidly spreading wildfires that have forced approximately 17,000 residents to evacuate, marking the largest such evacuation in living memory for the region. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced the emergency on May 28, 2025, highlighting the severity of the situation and the urgent need for assistance.
In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Mark Carney has agreed to deploy the Canadian Armed Forces to assist with evacuation efforts and firefighting operations. Military aircraft are expected to be deployed imminently to help relocate residents from remote and high-risk areas, including the city of Flin Flon, where all 5,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate by midnight due to an advancing wildfire.
Premier Kinew emphasized the scale of the evacuation and the logistical challenges involved, noting that most evacuees will be relocated to Winnipeg, the provincial capital, where temporary housing and support services are being arranged. The wildfire season in Manitoba has been particularly severe this year, with 102 wildfires recorded so far—significantly above the average of 77 for this period.
The wildfires originated near Creighton, Saskatchewan, and spread rapidly into Manitoba, with firefighting efforts complicated by factors such as drone interference grounding water bombers. Firefighters from across Canada have joined the battle against 22 active wildfires in the province. The emergency declaration is initially set for 30 days but may be extended depending on conditions.
Residents affected by the evacuation have been advised to seek shelter with family and friends or use designated facilities in Winnipeg. Authorities continue to monitor air quality, as smoke from the fires is expected to affect areas in the northern United States, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.